Taxi drivers in Cardiff say they want to get rid of a licensing law that is threatening their livelihoods.
The Deregulation Act 2015 allows private cars to operate across the whole of England and Wales. This means that a driver with a license issued by Bristol City Council is free to pick up passengers in Cardiff.
The group ,Taxi Drivers Cardiff , say this is leading to a rise in the number of drivers from outside of Cardiff coming into the city and taking trade away from local firms.
They say this has become a bigger problem since the app-based taxi company Uber came to Cardiff in April 2016.
Paul O’Hara, who’s on the committee of Taxi Drivers Cardiff, says the Act “tore up the rule book” on taxi regulation.
“It’s out-of-town cars coming to take our jobs. There’s already so many licensed cars. There’s over 2,000 licensed vehicles – hackney carriages and private hire – in Cardiff.
“These drivers – they don’t know anything about the city. But they can come in and do our job when we’ve had to go through knowledge tests and all sorts of other tests to get the license and badge.”
Mr O’Hara says drivers are particularly concerned the city will be inundated with out-of-town cars during the Wales V England match tomorrow – one of Cardiff’s busiest days in the year.
“Tomorrow is the litmus test because it’s the first major international. I do fear Uber will flood the market with their taxis tomorrow.”
Taxi Drivers Cardiff say they want the law changed so that private taxi firms can only operate in the city which issues their license.
In a meeting with Cardiff City Council yesterday, Taxi Drivers Cardiff were told that although the Council agrees there is a problem, it is a legislative matter for UK Government.
The matter will now be raised in Parliament by Cardiff South MP Stephen Doughty.
Uber have been approached for comment.
